Comments on: Results | Outsourcing and Automation in Freelance

By: Rob

Rob — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 21:26:51 +0000

Absolutely! Glad you stumbled on this as I was going to reference it in getting back to you, which I'll be doing soon! Feel free to test it all out, that's certainly the point…a through record of how I worked through creating a life where I do exactly what I want!

By: Srinivas Rao

Srinivas Rao — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 05:31:13 +0000

Hey Rob,

i had sent you an email asking about this but I'm glad to find it here in explicit detail on your blog. I'm going to start getting to work moving through this process myself. I may consider doing a series called “Testing Out the LifeDesign project” and test out everything you've done from the get go. Lots to think about. Thanks for breaking this down so well.

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:32:47 +0000

Sure, often times when you have a big project ahead, VA's come into play. You can cut out a lot of your personal day to day stuff with elimination tactics like you mentioned...here's how I did it.

http://www.mindmeister.com/28499563/digital-act...

In that mind map, under "possible". I created a workflow for each item that I could see myself giving to any 18 year old and them being able to finish the task to completion. I don't have all my workflows complete....that's actually another freedom business idea heh...but I'm working on them. The key is in the process designed documentation or "workflows"

Real world examples, I outsource research, I collect questions throughout the day and fire them off with a template on how I want them answered, I've used it for keyword research (not decisions on what to do, but gathering data), finding leads as you see in this article...as new projects come up, I make sure to record MY actual workflow so I can later break it down into obvious steps when that task comes up again for repeating. Something like installing a wordpress blog, or finding the cheapest prices on the new heart rate running monitor are perfect. Have a template of requirements in the e-mail, plug in the words and fire away.

By: j1z0

j1z0 — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:05:18 +0000

Hey Rob,

Great idea on outsourcing sales here. I'm currently working on finding a VA and trying to come up with a list of things that I can outsource. So this is obviously going high up on the list! I wanted to ask though, what other tasks do you find useful to outsource? I've tried plotting out my day to identify what is rudimentary and routine, but I don't come up with much, having eliminated a bunch of it. But I'm sure I'm just missing something, so it would be great if you could just comment on some things that you have successfully outsourced, other than what you already listed above.

By: The LDP: Project News, Updates & a Giveaway! – The Life Design Project

The LDP: Project News, Updates & a Giveaway! – The Life Design Project — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:14:55 +0000

[...] Monica O’Brien: Rob, my experience with VA’s has been great. It is some work upfront, but man is it worth it. Great post – great primer (Results | Outsourcing and Automation in Freelance.) [...]

By: Blue Sail Creative

Blue Sail Creative — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:16:32 +0000

I am currently in the process of outsourcing my sales work for my company as well. I have researched sales companies but they cost $35/hr or so to cold call businesses.

I am looking to do this for much cheaper but I need a method, its not as simple as reading a script.

By: Chris Ducker

Chris Ducker — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:22:37 +0000

Excellent post, great ‘break-down’ and very clear and concise presentation of results, etc. I must say, this was an excellent read. Good job!

Outsourcing is a subject matter that will only get more and more popular, I believe. As someone involved in the industry, its always interesting to see how other people put these things together.

Great stuff, Rob.

By: The Life Design Project | Resources – The Life Design Project

The Life Design Project | Resources – The Life Design Project — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:46:30 +0000

[...] Assistants” (read this post for more info [...]

By: Live Uncomfortably » My Favorite Blogs (At The Moment)

Live Uncomfortably » My Favorite Blogs (At The Moment) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:15:01 +0000

[...] Current Favorite Post: Results | Outsourcing and Automation in Freelance [...]

By: Monica O'Brien

Monica O'Brien — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:18:45 +0000

Rob, my experience with VA’s has been great. It is some work upfront, but man is it worth it. Great post – great primer for people who haven’t used a VA before. I also learned some valuable tips, like asking for a trial, and communicating through spreadsheets instead of word docs the way I was.

Cheers!